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Leeds United are back in action again tonight, with fans likely raring to witness another clash after claiming their first Championship win of the season on Saturday.

Who could start for Leeds United tonight?

However, the competition shifts for today's Tuesday night match, as the Whites travel to Salford City in the hopes that they can enjoy a deep run in this year’s iteration of the EFL Cup.

As understandably heavy favourites for the clash, given they face off against a League Two side, much of the pressure will rest on Daniel Farke’s team to take the game to the hosts and dictate the play.

However, it will remain a huge banana skin, especially given the German will likely want to rotate his side given the gruelling schedule they face following their relegation.

Read the latest Leeds transfer news HERE…

As such, it is expected that some of the star youngsters could be given a run in the side, with towering defender Charlie Cresswell surely meriting a place in the side and an opportunity to stake his first-team claim.

How good is Charlie Cresswell?

Having spent the last year on loan with Millwall, the 21-year-old is actually more well-versed than most of the current squad when it comes to Championship football.

As such, he featured 30 times for Gary Rowett’s side, maintaining a 7.13 average rating throughout a gruelling campaign that nearly culminated in a playoff finish.

2022/23

Third Round (loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers)

2021/22

Fourth Round (loss to Arsenal)

2020/21

Second Round (loss to Hull City)

2019/20

Second Round (loss to Stoke City)

2018/19

Second Round (loss to Preston North End)

This stellar figure was upheld by his six goal contributions, alongside 1.3 interceptions, 1.5 tackles and 3.1 clearances per game, via Sofascore.

Such fine form was always foreseen though, with there being no bigger believer in his bright future than himself.

He was particularly reflective back in 2021, noting just after signing a new contract: “I’ve been at the club since I was 11 and so to sign a new deal here is just fantastic.

"I'm confident, I'm a leader, I like to play and I like to head it! “There's lots of players in the first team that I look up to, the likes of Coops, Bill, they lead by example and that is what I want to try and follow.

“My targets for the next few years are obviously to try and get in the first team eventually, but in this moment I have got to go in day to day and just push every day to the best of my ability and hopefully that takes me somewhere.”

It seems like he is set to get his chance to achieve the latter goal, but nerves will likely play a big part given this will be just his third start of the term.

Having been out on loan all last year, Cresswell has actually only made two starts in 23 months, with his last coming back in September 2021.

Not only this, but their ropey start to the league season defensively could offer an opportunity should he shine tonight, as they have conceded seven goals in just four games.

The Thorp Arch academy graduate, who is valued at around £6m by FootballTransfers, now has the perfect chance to prove his worth for the new boss against a tricky opposition, pushing himself into contention as the fixture list piles up.

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West Indies, looking to finish top of their World Cup Qualifier group and carry maximum points into the Super six stage, ran into some trouble against Ireland, falling to 83 for 5 after being sent in to bat. Enter Rovman Powell. After a cautious and at times edgy beginning – he was 9 off 34 balls at one stage and enjoyed some luck – he exploded to compile a run-a-ball hundred and lift his side to 257 for 8.That proved beyond Ireland’s reach, despite a controlled half-century from Ed Joyce, who put on useful stands with the O’Brien brothers and kept them in the game for a significant period.There was a sense of Ireland building up a proper head of steam too. The stand of 64 between Joyce and Niall O’Brien came at a run rate of 4.46, as the fourth-wicket pair rebuilt after their team had slipped to 32 for 3; Joyce and Kevin O’Brien then added 70 off 69 balls. At one stage, Ireland needed 92 off 83 balls with six wickets in hand.Kemar Roach, however, dismissed both Joyce and the younger O’Brien in the same over, dealing a body blow to Ireland’s hopes. They were eventually bowled out for 205 in the 47th over of their innings. Roach, who also took the key wickets of Paul Stirling and Andy Balbirnie early on, finished with figures of 4 for 27. There were four wickets for Kesrick Williams as well, and two for the captain Jason Holder.Powell’s was the first instance of a century coming from No. 7 or lower for West Indies in ODIs. He was ably assisted by his captain Jason Holder, who made his second-successive 50-plus score of the tournament.Ireland made excellent use of bowling first in conditions that suited their fast bowlers early on. There had been overnight rain in Harare and the pitch retained a tinge of green when the West Indian openers walked out to bat. Chris Gayle was repeatedly beaten on the outside edge before it was eventually taken. Evin Lewis was surprised by extra bounce, spooning a catch to point. Marlon Samuels got a jaffa that angled into him and straightened to flick his glove through to the keeper.The man doing much of the damage was Tim Murtagh, the 36-year-old seamer whose control more than made up for his lack of pace. And, in any case, it was Boyd Rankin’s job to hustle the batsmen, his 6’7″ frame coming in more than handy as he banged the ball into the pitch.The spinners Andy McBrine and George Dockrell took over in the middle overs, assisted by a pitch that revealed itself to be a slow turner once the early moisture dissipated. Holder and Powell battled hard to keep West Indies afloat; their 86-run partnership almost exclusively comprised of singles between the 18th and 26th overs before the West Indies captain began dictating terms.Holder finished with 54 off 71 balls, the landmark achieved with a monstrous six over wide long-on. He could, however, have been dismissed for 17 if Paul Stirling had held on to a return catch generated by his part-time offbreaks. Eleven runs later, he survived a run-out chance with his partner indulging in a last-minute change of mind about a single to square leg.Powell enjoyed a couple of lives as well: he was on 18 when a leading edge off the bowling of Dockrell was shelled by Gary Wilson running back and to his left from mid-off. On 39, he top-edged a pull that went straight up but the keeper was unable to catch up with the ball, which landed harmlessly near the middle of the pitch.Powell needed to take such risks, though, with time running out. He pulled Rankin down the ground with stinging disdain and later hit him over the top. West Indies lost a lot of firepower when Carlos Brathwaite ran himself out in the 45th over but Powell persisted until the end, doing exactly what his team needed off him.

Angelo Mathews will be out of action for at least two weeks with the hamstring strain he sustained on Friday – another chapter in his long-standing woes with leg injuries.Mathews pulled up injured as he ran in to deliver the third ball of his third over in the T20 in Indore. He left the field without completing that over, and did not return to bat. Sri Lanka’s team management has since confirmed the presence of a grade one strain – an injury that will not only rule him out of the third T20 against India on Sunday, but will also put him in doubt for the start of the forthcoming Bangladesh tour. The official word is that Mathews may be fit again in two weeks, but his recoveries have often taken longer than expected.Though it is calf injuries that have given Mathews most grief over the past 18 months, hamstrings have also been problematic throughout his career. Since the middle of 2015, he has missed a full tour of Zimbabwe, come home early from a tour of South Africa, missed Bangladesh’s tour of Sri Lanka, and missed a full tour of the UAE – all because of various leg injuries.The team management had already decided not to deploy Mathews’ bowling in Tests, in order to minimise risk of further complaints, but this latest injury also raises doubts over whether his body can sustain even a limited-overs workload.There is also the issue of his batting form. The stuttered nature of his international involvement over the past two years has coincided with a long lean stretch. He had just begun to produce runs again when this injury was sustained.*This article had originally said Mathews had sustained a tear in his hamstring. However, he has merely strained it – a less serious injury.

Liverpool's interest in Brazilian midfielder Andre Trindade is "clearly a negotiating tactic" to help their position in any future negotiations with Southampton for their exciting midfielder Romeo Lavia, claims journalist Alex Crook.

Are Liverpool signing Romeo Lavia this summer?

It's been a real summer of change for the red half of Merseyside so far this year. Club captain Jordan Henderson left the side for the riches of the Saudi Pro League alongside Champions League-winning Fabinho and Roberto Firmino.

It's not just departures changing the face of the team, though, as Jurgen Klopp has already welcomed two new starting midfielders to Anfield.

The first to make his way to the northwest was Brighton & Hove Albion's World Cup-winning star, Alexis Mac Allister, who signed for the club in a deal worth an initial £35m.

Read the latest Livepool transfer news HERE…

Shortly after the Argentinian arrived, Hungarian superstar, Dominik Szoboszlai made the journey from RB Leipzig to Liverpool in a deal worth a reported £60m.

While these two players represent excellent business, Fabinho's exit has necessitated the signing of a new number six to complete Klopp's midfield overhaul, and it looks like Liverpool have identified 19-year-old Lavia as that new number six.

According to Sky Sports, the Reds have now had two offers for the youngster rejected by the Saints, with neither one reaching even £40m, considerably short of the £50m valuation they have of their star.

Whilst the six-time European champions retain their interest in the Brussels-born gem, they have also turned their attention to Fluminense prospect Andre, with the Daily Mail reporting that they have already made an offer for an estimated £21m.

However, with the genuine interest the Reds have shown in Lavia thus far, this attempt to sign the 22-year-old Brazilian could be a tactic intended to cause the Saints to lower their price somewhat, according to journalist Alex Crook.

He explained the situation live on TalkSport, with the clip being posted to their YouTube channel:

"I don't know if they will walk away. It always makes me suspicious, and I've been doing this job long enough that when a new name suddenly emerges as it did yesterday [Tuesday] with a Brazilian player, Andre, I think his name was. That's clearly a negotiating tactic from Liverpool, 'let's get this name out there; let's make it clear to Southampton it's not Romeo Lavia or nobody'.

"But they bid up to £40m, Southampton want £50m. Again, for a club of Liverpool's stature, that doesn't seem a massive gap, and I think this lad is going to be a really talented Premier League player, Romeo Lavia, I think £50m is a fair price."

How good was Romeo Lavia last season?

Even though he is only 19 years old, Southampton's midfield prodigy is relatively experienced for a player his age, especially after starting 26 Premier League games last season.

In those games for the Saints, he scored one goal, maintained a passing accuracy of 86.4% – the best of a player with at least 90 minutes under their belt in the entire squad – and averaged a match rating of 6.56, which is made more impressive when the team he was playing in is taken into account, per WhoScored.

He can also put in the defensive work when needed with Fbref, which compares players in a similar position across Europe's top five leagues, placing the 5 foot 11 "monster" in the top 4% of midfielders for blocks per 90.

He has evidently made an impact on his teammates on the south coast, with Theo Walcott telling TalkSport in January:

"He's young, he's 18/19 when he's off the field, but when he's on the field, it's mad. It's like he's played over 200 games in the Premier League, that's how much I rate him. It's very interesting to see, watching him from the stands, obviously it looks so easy from the stands, it always does.

"You probably know that watching us, 'he should make that run or make that pass', it's not as straightforward as that but when I watch him, I'm like 'you look way above your age right now'."

It'll be interesting to see whether or not the links to Andre will affect Southampton's stance towards a deal with Liverpool, but the Reds would be wise to do all they can to sign Lavia before someone beats them to it.

Elsewhere, Rohit Motwani’s career-best 189 helped Maharashtra put up 481 after they had been put in

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Nov-2017

Uttar Pradesh players celebrate after picking up a wicket•Shailesh Bhatnagar

Left-arm spinner Saurabh Kumar continued the Uttar Pradesh fightback with 4 for 54, with an economy rate under 2, as Assam finished the second day on 279 for 6, still trailing by 70 runs. He had already struck a century from No. 8 to lift his side to a more than respectable 349, but clearly it wasn’t enough to satisfy him. Coming on as the second-change bowler, he knocked over four of the top five in Assam’s line-up to make sure the visitors retained the upper hand in Guwahati. Only Sibsankar Roy (72) and Rishav Das (52) were able to progress past fifty. Assam’s hopes of a first-innings rest rather heavily on Swarupam Purkayastha (34 not out) and Pallavkumar Das (10 not out).Wicketkeeper-batsman Rohit Motwani built on his overnight half-century to make a career-best 189 to help Maharashtra put on 481 against Railways in Pune. Railways responded with an unbroken stand of 88 for the opening wicket that took them to stumps 393 runs behind on the second day.Maharashtra had begun the day on 249 for 5. They lost Chirag Khurana and Nikit Dhumal in quick succession and were reduced to 287 for 7, before Motwani dominated partnerships with the tail enders, putting on a combined 194 runs for the last three wickets. It began with 94-run stand for the eighth with debutant Mukesh Choudhary, during which Motwani brought up his fourth first-class hundred. He was the last man out, eleven short of a double-hundred, having struck 24 fours and three sixes.

Tottenham Hotspur think "there might be better options out there" in the centre-back position and that a deal for Clément Lenglet is likely not on the cards despite what Joan Laporta has said, claims journalist Paul Brown.

Tottenham Hotspur transfer news – what's the latest on Clément Lenglet?

It was in July 2022 that the Lilywhites confirmed the arrival of Barcelona centre-back Lenglet on a season-long loan, it was deal that was seen generally as a good bit of business, with England legend Gary Liniker giving it his seal of approval.

However, the 28-year-old somewhat failed to live up to expectations in North London and many assumed that he would be heading back to Barcelona permanently this summer.

That might not be the case anymore, as Barca president Joan Laporta said earlier this month (via football.london):

"I think that with Tottenham we will reach an agreement for Lenglet. This almost never goes fast. It depends on the other party."

To further complicate the situation, Spanish publication AS have reported that Spurs and the player have already come to a verbal agreement over a contract that would see him make the switch to North London permanently.#

However, the lack of noise from the club itself and little reporting about any potential deal in the English press have left some sceptical over this proposed transfer.

What has Paul Brown said about Clément Lenglet and Tottenham Hotspur?

Brown was quick to point out that Tottenham are in the position to get a deal done for Lenglet very quickly if they wanted to and the fact that they haven't suggests that they never will. He also makes a point to explain Laporta's tendency to say a lot of nothing in these situations.

Speaking to Football FanCast, he said: "I think with Lenglet it's something Spurs could have done quite easily, very quickly. The fact that they didn't probably suggests that they think there might be better options out there on the market, and while Laporta might have been trying to talk this one up, he says a lot of things and you can't always take them at face value, essentially.

"So I do think Spurs are trying to sign a player in that position. I think they're looking at options elsewhere for a player in that position."

Was Clément Lenglet good last season?

The fact that the club seem quite content losing him back to Barcelona this summer should serve as clue enough that, despite the reputation he arrived with, Lenglet's stay in N17 wasn't very successful.

According to WhoScored, the 6 foot 1 Frenchman averaged a decent match rating of 6.55 but only started 24 Premier League games all season, which suggests a lack of trust between the player and managers as he only missed a single game last season due to injury.

One of his worst performances for the Lilywhites was in the team's 1-0 away defeat to AC Milan, in which he was slammed by pundit and former Spurs player Jamie O'Hara, who said:

"Lenglet was bought from Barcelona, he's like an imposter."

With reviews like that from some of the club's most vocal supporters, it is perhaps no surprise that Brown is so unconvinced that they would go back in for the Barca man, and that might just be what's best for all involved.

Tottenham Hotspur are close to a full agreement with Wolfsburg to sign defender Micky van de Ven, according to reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Who will Spurs sign this summer?

New manager Ange Postecoglou, much to his delight, has already watched the likes of goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, playmaker James Maddison and winger Manor Solomon come through the door at Spurs.

The aforementioned trio will boost Tottenham's options defensively and further forward as the Lilywhites attempt to spark some life back into their side after a disappointing 2022/2023 campaign under Antonio Conte.

Postecoglou, who is aiming to bring back a more attacking style to Hotspur Way, is overjoyed at the signings of Vicario and Maddision in particular – with the Australian having praised their personality profiles.

“It’s not just about the talent they bring as footballers," said Postecoglou.

"It’s what they bring as people as well because we are going to play football that requires a certain type of personality and character.

“Both those guys have got it in abundance. I could hear it in their voices when I spoke to them. I had a couple of chats with both of them before we signed them and I knew that they were the right types to bring into the dressing room."

After Maddison, Vicario and Solomon, attention now turns to the signing of a star centre-back or two – coming after Tottenham leaked more league goals than any other side above 15th last season.

Reports suggest Tottenham could make multiple central defensive signings this summer, leading to interest in Bayer Leverkusen's Edmond Tapsoba, Max Kilman of Wolves and Ecuador international Piero Hincapie as well.

However, it appears that they're making the most headway in their bid to sign van de Ven from Wolfsburg, with Romano dropping a promising update for Spurs supporters.

Writing on Twitter, Romano claims that Tottenham are edging closer to an agreement for the 22-year-old.

"Tottenham are advancing in talks with Wolfsburg for Micky van de Ven — told the agreement between clubs is now close," said the reporter.

"#THFC Negotiations are underway and talks on Monday were really positive, waiting for key details. More to follow."

How good is Micky van de Ven?

The Netherlands international has really excelled for Wolfsburg under Niko Kovac in the last 12 months, averaging a higher passing accuracy percentage than any other regular in their squad (WhoScored).

Indeed, only goalkeeper Koen Casteels has played more Bundesliga munutes than van de Ven, highlighting his real importance for Kovac (WhoScored).

Meanwhile, the Bundesliga website have also heaped praise on him for an extraordinary gift of speed and tenacity – likening him to Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk.

"Much like Liverpool’s Dutch centre-back, Van de Ven can be a nightmare for attacking players with his immense strength, determination and precision tackling scuppering the most promising of forward moves," wrote the site.

"With incredible pace and passing ability among his many assets, the Netherlands U21 international – who captained his country at the 2023 UEFA Europan Under-21 Championship – is on course to become a regular for the senior Oranje in the near future."

Manchester City are ready to pay to complete the signing of Achraf Hakimi, with Pep Guardiola said to be a big fan of the Paris Saint-Germain star, according to a report from Football Insider.

What's the latest Man City transfer news?

Man City are planning to spend big on West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice, having submitted a £90m offer for the England international, although that proposal was swiftly rejected by the Hammers.

Central midfield is not the only position that needs strengthening, however, with Kyle Walker's future in doubt. A new right-back may be required, with the likes of Nahuel Molina and Hakimi being linked with moves to the Etihad Stadium.

It is detailed that Guardiola wants to build a side capable of competing on all fronts next season, with the PSG defender being identified as a player who could help them do that, and there has now been an update on City's pursuit.

According to a report from Football Insider, the Sky Blues are now "ready to pay" to complete the signing of the 24-year-old, as they hold a strong interest in his services.

Guardiola is said to be a big fan of the Moroccan, who features highly on Man City's shortlist of potential defender signings, but he would command a big fee. The Citizens' interest in the right-back comes amid doubts over the futures of Walker and Joao Cancelo, with the latter of the two set to leave this summer.

How much does Achraf Hakimi earn?

The PSG full-back is currently tied down to a £240k-per-week deal with the French champions, which is not due to expire until 2026, meaning his current employers will be in a very strong negotiating position this summer.

However, Man City are seemingly willing to spend big on the Morocco international, and there is every indication he could be worth it, given the threat he poses on the front foot.

In the past year, the former Inter Milan star has averaged 0.17 non-penalty goals per 90, placing him in the 93rd percentile compared to his positional peers, with a pass-completion rate of 89% placing him in the 98th percentile.

Any player operating in a Guardiola system needs to be an assured passer of the ball, and the right-back fits the bill in that regard, while he has also been hailed as "sensational" by journalist David Amoyal.

Hakimi could be a perfect long-term replacement for Walker, and Man City should now look to test the waters with an opening offer – showing that Guardiola is not messing around in the market with midfielder Mateo Kovacic set to become the first signing of the summer.

The pitch at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, which hosted the second Test between Australia and India last week, has been given a “below average” rating by the ICC match referee, Chris Broad. Earlier, Broad had rated the pitch for the Pune Test, the first of the series “poor”.While the outfield in Bengaluru was rated as “very good”, it is understood that one of the main factors in Broad’s appraisal of the pitch was the variable bounce. In contrast to the series opener in Pune, which ended within three days, the second Test was low-scoring thriller that went into the final session of the fourth day. India finally prevailed on fourth afternoon, and levelled the four-match series 1-1 after Australia lost their last six wickets for 11.A below-average rating from a match referee is common and carries no penalty or fine. Of the six options available for the match referee to evaluate a pitch, a below-average rating ranks ahead of “poor” and “unfit”.A rough patch outside the right-hand batsmen’s off stump offered turn and bounce to Nathan Lyon, who took eight wickets on the first day. Second day onwards, the fast bowlers got quite a few balls to stay low and shoot through the ground. Virat Kohli, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith and R Ashwin fell to grubbers.Pune was the second Indian pitch to be rated poor in two seasons, after India beat South Africa in Nagpur in three days in 2015-16. Since the ICC began its pitch and outfield monitoring process in 2006, four of the seven Full-Member pitches rated poor or unfit have belonged to India.The third Test of the series will be played in Ranchi from March 16. Like Pune, Ranchi will be making its Test debut, and the pitch there has been a subject of speculation.

Sergio Aguero and Iker Casillas faced off in a one-v-one five-second penalty shootout in the Kings League, and the Spanish goalkeeper came out on top brilliantly.

What is the Kings League?

The Kings League is a seven-a-side competition co-founded by recently retired Barcelona legend Gerard Pique.

He formed it with friend and Twitch streamer Ibai Llanos and it has already picked up an estimated 1.3 million online views of matches at the start of 2023.

It’s a mixture of sport and pure entertainment with amateurs, professionals and former star footballers all taking part.

Recently, former Real Madrid star Casillas went face-to-face with ex-Barcelona and Man City striker Aguero in a penalty shootout to help decide a game.

Except, things work a little differently in the Kings League as penalty-takers run from the halfway line and have a total of five seconds to score – once the buzzer sounds, if the ball isn’t in the net, it’s a miss.

As this footage from the official Twitter account shows, Casillas completely got the better of Aguero as he stayed on his line, held his nerve, and then guessed correctly as the Argentine shot towards the bottom corner.

Sadly, both players no longer play football and heart issues forced them each out of the beautiful game a little sooner than perhaps either would have hoped.

Indeed, Casillas won two league titles with Porto after leaving Madrid but then had a heart attack and did not play for them again before hanging up his boots in 2020.

While Aguero suffered chest pains and dizziness at Barcelona. He was initially ruled out for three months after having cardiac tests but opted to retire in December 2021.

Thankfully, they are both healthy enough to partake in this sort of friendly football fun and it seems fans online enjoyed seeing the two face off.

Here are some of the best reactions on Twitter…